Do you remember the water buffalo at the end of our street, or the deep-sea diver we found near the underpass? Do you know why dogs bark in the middle of the night? A new picture book from the international award-winning illustrator Shaun Tan, Tales from Outer Suburbia is a unique and inspiring collection of original stories and illustrations.

Shaun Tan, creator of The Arrival, The Lost Thing and The Red Tree, reveals the quiet mysteries of everyday life: homemade pets, dangerous weddings, and secret rooms filled with darkness and delight!

Winner of the Children’s Book Council of Australia's Best Book for Older Readers 2009 and a Scholastic Best Book 2009. Highly commended in the 12-16 group, UKLA Awards 2010.

"This collection of stories is a work of art. The illustrations include etchings, woodcuts, collages, pastels, lithographs and paint, and are variously indebted to, among others, comic strips, Edward Hopper and Samuel Palmer." Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times

"stunningly original”  … most illustrations in books are reactions to the text, but here the picture inspire the stories.  They are all strange and beautiful." Children's Laureate Anthony Browne in The Guardian

"… an exceptionally powerful collection of short stories with astonishing illustrations for older readers.  Mysterious and sophisticated, Tan delves deep into the psyche of suburbia for his unforgettably beautiful tales." The Telegraph

“An awe-inspiring juxtaposition of words and pictures.”
Lindsey Stainer, General Dept Mgr, Blackwell’s

“A book that will be re-read and returned to time and again.”
Jake Hope, Children’s Librarian for Lancashire Libraries

Tales from Outer Suburbia is included in the Booktrust Best Book Guide 2010.